Mining apparatus



Jan. 11 1927.

M. P. HOLMES MINING APPARATUS Filed on 22, 1924 w w m Q a Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFEIQE.

MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NET/V HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING APPARATUS.

Application filed October 22, 1924. Serial No. 745,253.

proved mining machine especially adapted to cutkerfs in a vertically disposed plane. Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus including a machine of the flexibly fed type, herein of standard construction, adapted to cut kerfs in a vertical plane and especially adapted to cut downwardly disposed kerfs in the coal strata in accordance with the strip or open pit system ofmining wherein improved means are provided for supporting the machine. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus including a flexibly fed mining machine of the pivoted bar type, herein the standard form, having improved supporting means therefor wherein the machine may be turned on its side and cut kerfs in a vertical plane in accordance with the strip or open pit system of mining. In accordance with the strip or open pit method of mining the surface of the coal strata is cut in aseries of narrow strips, blocks, or other desired sections. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved mechanism especially adapted to use in the above system of mining. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. 1

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a mining apparatus constructed in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of my invention.

, Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of Fig. 1, the view being shown partially in section to facilitate illustration. p

In this illustrative construction I have shown a mining machine designated as an entirety by the numeral l'provided with a longitudinally extending frame, 2. The frame 2 is comprised of three sections, that is, a motor section 3, a feed section 4, and a cutting mechanism carrying section 5, the feed and cutting mechanism carrying sections 4 and 5 being disposed at opposite ends of and rigidly connected to the motor section 3, in the usual manner. The frame 2 of the mining machine is disposed on its edge or side 6, with its bottom plate 7 disposed in a vertical plane, on a skid or support generally designated 8 of improved form to be hereinafter more fully described, which is slidable on the surface of the coal strata. It will herein be noted that for the purposes of moving the machine relative to the mine surface there is provided a flexible feeding member 9, herein in the form of a feed chain, which is secured at its outer end to a stationary extraneous abutment and is guided at its inner end by a plurality of guide sheaves or rolls 10 rotatable on horizontal axes on the feed frame section 4 and this flexible member is suitably drawn in, moving the machine relative thereto, by a feed operating member 11, herein a chain en gaging sprocket, disposed on a horizontal axis on the feed frame, said axis being parallel to the axes of the guide sheaves. The feed operating member 11 is rotatable at a predetermined cutting speed or a predeten mined fast speed, said fast speed being utilized in hauling the machine about the mine, in a well known manner. The feed operating member 11 is driven by the motor through suitable power transmission mechanism,'not shown, which may be of any approved form. It will herein be observed that the frame section 5 carries a cutter bar 12 pivoted on a transverse horizontal axis 13 parallel to the axis of the feed sprocket 11 and which cutter bar is adapted to be swung downwardlyinto the coal strata, herein by extending the feed chain9 beneath the machine and through an opening in the support 8 and connecting the same to a-pivoted two-part hook 1 indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1', which hook is in turn adaptedto be connected to a laterally projecting abutment. 15 suitably secured to the cutter bar. The feed sprocket 11 is then rotated at a slow or cutting speed drawing in the free end. of the feedchain 9, swinging the bar from the dotted line position indicated in Fig. l downwardly, cutting a narrow vertical kerf in the coal strata until the bar reaches a. position substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the machine frame 2. The cutter bar is then locked in position by means ofa pin 16 which is adapted to register with one of a plurality of horizontally dispose openings 17 formed in a circular flange 18 which is adapted to guide the cutter bar during its swinging movement. Herein it will be noted that the cutter bar 12 is provided with an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 19 which is adapted to be circulated about the outer edge of the cutter bar by the motor 3 through suitable transmission connections, not shown, in a well known manner. Instead of utilizing the feed chain to swing the cutter bar downwardly into the coal strata the bar may be swung by-the raking action of the cutter bits and by the weight of ti e bar.

As heretofore stated the mining machine 1 is or" standard construction turned on its .side and mounted on tl'ie skid or support 8 of improved form. In my improved construction it will be observed that a shoe or bottom plate 20 that is adapted to engage the mine surface is provided, preferably having upturned curved front and rear endsQl and slightly upturnen curved side portions to permit a tree sliding movement of the bottom plate on. the surface of the coal strata and relative to a transport truck, not shown.

As shown, a=plate 23 is disposed longitudinally beneath the side 6 ot' the mining machine ,and is secured to the latter bymeans of screws 2%, while opcratively connectedto the bottom plateQO are parallel longitudinally disposed laterally spaced angle men'ibers 25|and 26. A plurality of transversely extending supporting members 27 have their flattened portions securedto the anszle members 2.5..and 26 and to the plate at} by suitable rivets -29 and 28, respectively. As illustrated, transversely ext-ending bracing. mem-- lacesol the supports 27 at spaced points along its length and is,-suitably secured to the bracing members 30, andzthebottom plate 20 also by the rivets Sland to. the supporting members 27-by rivets 32. A plurality of angularlydisposed bracing members herein three, are disposed =-between the vertically disposed bottom. plate ,7 ofthe machine and the skid .bottom plate and whichrbraces are rigidly connected thereto by means of screws 34: and the rivets 29, respectively. Erlongitudinally extending angle member 35 disposed in a plane parallel with the anglemembers25 and 26 is further provided to rigidly secure the machine to the skid and is secured thereto by means of provide a stable support of improvedrt'orm for a mining machine constructed to operate in accordance with the strip or open pit system of mining and which is of an exceedingly simple and rugged character and which may be manufactured at a minimum of ex pense. These and other advantages will'be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

hile Ihave in this application specifically described one form whichmy invention may. assume in practice, it will'be naderstood that thislorm of the same is shown itsspirit or; the scope of the appended claims. I

What I claim as new and desire to. secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. in a mining apparatus, a mmmgmachine having a pivoted cutter bar movable in a vertical plane, means for swinging said bar including a flexible element, and sup porting means 1"or said machine including -,vertically spaced plates, an interi'nediate support, and transversely and longitudinally extending bracing members secured to said plates 'liormmg anopenmg' through which said flexible element is adapted to pass.

2. In,aaniningapparatus, a mining machine nor ially cuttingon itsown bottom and havinga pivoted cutter bar, and means for o iierating said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising supporting means including an upper plate to which the side of said machine is secured, a bottom plate, and truss means for maintaining said plates in fixed spaced relationto each other.

. 3. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine normally cuttin on its own bottom having a pivoted cutter bar, and means for operatingsaid machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising supporting means including aniupper plate to which" theside of said machine is secured, aibottom plate, and truss means for maintaining said plates in fixed spaced relation to .each other in-- cluding a longitudinally disposed truss.

l. In -a mining apparatus, 'a mining machine normally cutting 'on its own bottom having a pivoted cutter baryand means for operating said machine withv its bottom in a vertical plane comprising supporting means including a bottom plate, .an intermediate support attached thereto, transverse and longitudinally extending bracing means therefor, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced angular b'acing members disposed between the vertically disposed bottom of raid machine and said bottom plate.

5. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine normally cutting on its own bottom having a pivoted cutter bar, and means for operating said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising supporting means including an upper plate to which the side of said machine is secured, a bottom plate, transversely extending intermediate supports interposed between said plates, a plurality of transverse bracing members between said intermediate supports and said bottom plate, and longitudinally extending angular bracing means secured to said intern'iediate support and said transverse bracing member. 7

(5. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine normally cutting on its own bottom having a pivoted cutter bar, and means for operating said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising supporting means including an upper plate to which the side oi". said machine is secured, a bottom plate, parallel members secured to said bottom plate, transvercely extending intermediate supports secured to said upper plate and said parallel members, transverse bracing means secured to said intermediate support and said bottom plate, and longitudinally extending bracing means secured to said intermediate support and said transverse bracing members.

7. In a mining apparatus, a mining mahine normally cutting on its own bottom having a pivoted cutter bar, and n'leans for operating said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising supporting means including an upper plate to which the side of said machine is secured, a bottom plate, parallel members secured to ,said bottom plate, transversely extending intermediate support-s secured to said'upper plate and said parallel members, transverse bracing means secured to said intermediate support and said bottom plate, and longitudinally extending bracing means secured to said intermediatesupport and said transverse bracing members, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced angular bracing members disposed between the vertically disposed bottom plate of said machine and said intermediate support.

8. In a mining apparatus, a mining machine normally cutting on its own bottom having a pivoted cutter bar, means for swinging said bar including a flexible element, and means tor operating said machine with its bottom in a vertical plane comprising supporting means including an upper plate to which the side of said machine is secured, means for maintaining said plates in fixed spaced relation to each other including a longitudinally disposed truss and a transversely disposed truss, and an intermediate support, said supporting means having an opening through which said flexible element passes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

